A poll finds 79 per cent of expats questioned say that they do not intend to
return to the UK at all, up from 60 per cent in January 2011.

Lloyds TSB International questioned 1,168 British expats in popular expat destinations: Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Gibraltar, Channel Islands, Isle of Man, New Zealand, South Africa, Switzerland, Spain, UAE, USA. The survey was conducted online by Freshminds at the end of last year.

Results suggested that expats living in Australia are currently the least likely to return to Britain, with nine in 10 planning to live there indefinitely. In terms of happiness, expats in France reported being the most content with their quality of life compared with their experience of the UK.

There is also increasing evidence that Britain's economic affairs are more of a motivating factor for those who chose to move overseas. The poll found that, a year and a half ago, 17 per cent of those who responded to the survey cited this as a key reason why they emigrated, but now some 26 per cent name it as a significant factor.

Richard Musty, private bank director at Lloyds TSB International, said: “Expats are increasingly turning temporary overseas work into a permanent move and it does seem that the UK is losing its allure for many people who have experienced different cultures and lifestyles. Availability of jobs and the cost of living certainly plays a role, but as our research shows, lifestyle factors can also be decisive in where people chose to live.”